New to Cannabis? We’re Here to Help.

Cannabis contains components called cannabinoids, which are chemical compounds secreted by the cannabis flower. These cannabinoids mimic compounds naturally found in human bodies called endocannabinoids. When cannabis is consumed, cannabinoids bind to different receptors throughout the human body and create a range of effects, benefits and relief. Cannabinoids must be activated by decarboxylation or heating, which can occur through smoking, vaping or cooking cannabis.

While there are over 60 known types of cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, many more are thought to exist. The stars of the show are THC (Δ9–tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol), both of which are most commonly known and found in the cannabis plant.

THCA:(Δ9–tetrahydrocannabinol) One of the only cannabinoids that can get you high. THC binds with CB-1 receptors to create the psychoactive effects we know as feeling “high,” such as euphoria, laughter, hunger, and sleep.

CBDA: (cannabidiol) The cannabinoid that’s captivated the curious to the connoisseur. CBD tends to bind with CB-2 receptors and does not produce intoxicating effects but can have physiological effects like increasing relaxation, relieving stress and improving appetite.

Terpenes give different cannabis strains their distinct aroma and flavor. The unique terpene profile of a strain helps differentiate between the effects of strains.

Trichomes are the microscopic outgrowths on the cannabis flower that contain most of the terpenes and cannabinoids.

While strain types are typically associated with effects, the terms “indica” and “sativa” actually originated from the botanical definitions of different species of cannabis plants. Today, the terms “indica”, “sativa” and “hybrid” are used to organize strains by effects.

Sativa: Associated with uplifting, energetic and focused effects. Typically experienced as more of a cerebral high. Best enjoyed in the daytime.

Indica: Associated with relaxed, euphoric and sleep-inducing effects. Typically experienced as a full-body high. Best enjoyed in the evening.

Hybrid: Cross-bred strains from both indica and sativa plants. Associated with both indica and sativa effects.

Types of Concentrates:

Bubble, Cold Water, Full Melt Hash: Created without solvents by mechanically separating different grades of pure trichomes from the plant material in an ice bath with mesh bags and forming the resulting material into mass.

Kief: Trichomes and plant material that are used to create hash and rosin. Kief is what accumulates in the bottom of your grinder.

Rosin: Created without solvents by drawing out resin from the flower with high pressure and usually low heat.

Shatter: Butane is used as a solvent to extract THC from the flower resulting in a glass-like appearance and hard candy consistency.

Sugar: Also created using butane as a solvent to create a concentrate that has a sticky and crumbly consistency.

Budder: Butane is used as a solvent to create a consistency between shatter and wax. Budder’s softer consistency makes it easier to use although it generally has fewer cannabinoids and terpenes.

Live Resin: Made similarly to sugar and shatter with butane or other solvents, the word “live” specifies that the plant material used for this concentrate was fresh frozen right after harvest. This preserves far more cannabinoids and terpenes than a normal extraction with cured plant material does. Live resin tends to be more potent and flavorful since more cannabinoids and terpenes are preserved in the process. 

RSO (Rick Simpson Oil) or FECO (Full Extract Cannabis Oil): Alcohol is used as a solvent to extract a full spectrum of cannabinoids from the flower to create a dark, plant-rich oil that is very versatile.

Distillate: Made using a process called CO2 Critical Extraction that uses CO2 as a solvent to turn pure biomass into a highly concentrated oil that is used most often in cartridges and edibles because of its high viscosity and low flavor profile.